Fosse Park Training Academy gets connected

Students and unemployed residents who are gaining work experience at Fosse Park Academy now have access to a suite of laptop computers thanks to an investment made by Blaby District Council.

The Retail Academy has been developed by Fosse Retail Park and South Leicestershire College and offers the opportunity for college students and locally unemployed 18-25 year olds to bolt on practical retail work skills to academic studies.

The aim is for participants to develop their learning experiences and become more “work ready”.

Blaby District Council is supporting the initiative and has invested in the laptop computers as part of its programme of activity to develop the local economy, helping people in the district to improve their skills and chances of getting into work.

Carole Troake, principal economic development officer at Blaby District Council said:

“The Learning Centre has created an alternative learning environment away from the traditional class room so that students and young people looking for work get the benefit of real work experience, adding value to their CVs and improving their chances of gaining paid employment.”

Marian Plant OBE, Principal and Chief Executive at South Leicestershire College said:

“The Fosse Park Academy is an excellent initiative that bridges the gap between education and the world of work. It offers young people the chance they need to gain necessary work experience to complement their studies and prepare them for future careers. The support the Council has given will really make a difference.”

The four week “Get into Retail” programme is organised by the Princes Trust and includes a certificate in retail knowledge, which the learners study at South Leicestershire College for a two week period.

Part of this delivery takes place at Fosse Shopping Park where participants can contextualise their learning in merchandise production, marketing and selling of products.

Adrian Young, Centre Manager at Fosse Shopping Park, said:

“It’s great to see the learning centre initiative progressing especially now with the provision of the laptops kindly provided by Blaby District Council.”

Jay Mackness, aged 25 from Glenfield, is participating in the programme and keen to develop a career in retail. He said:

“This course has been really enjoyable and is a great opportunity for me. After only four days I have noticed how people in the group are now coming out of their shells and benefitting.”

For more information on the Fosse Park Academy contact Sally Denning at South Leicestershire College at sally.denning@slcollege.ac.uk or call 0116 264 3535.